Quiz 72 – Book of Judges cont.

Judges 7:4-8

Then the Lord said to Gideon, “The troops are still too many; take them down to the water, and I will sift them out for you there. When I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go with you; and when I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.” So he brought the troops down to the water; and the Lord said to Gideon, “All those who lap the water with their tongues, as a dog laps, you shall put to one side; all those who kneel down to drink, putting their hands to their mouths, you shall put to the other side.” The number of those that lapped was three hundred; but all the rest of the troops knelt down to drink water. Then the Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred that lapped I will deliver you, and give the Midianites into your hand. Let all the others go to their homes.” So he took the jars of the troops from their hands, and their trumpets; and he sent all the rest of Israel back to their own tents, but retained the three hundred. The camp of Midian was below him in the valley.

Deeper Dive into the Passage

Gideon’s Army Reduction

**Hypotheses:**1. **Divine Selection:** The reduction of Gideon’s army was meant to show that victory comes from God, not human strength. By reducing the army to 300 men, the writer emphasizes that the Israelites’ success was due to divine intervention rather than military might

**Testing Faith:** This passage tests the faith and obedience of Gideon and his men. Those who lapped water like a dog were chosen because they demonstrated vigilance and readiness, qualities necessary for God’s chosen warriors.

**Historical Context:**The Book of Judges was written during a time when Israel was a loose confederation of tribes. The story of Gideon reflects the need for strong, divinely guided leadership to unify and protect the people. The original audience would have understood this as a call to trust in God’s power rather than their own.

**Modern Interpretation:**Today, this passage can be seen as a reminder that success often comes from unexpected sources and that faith and trust in a higher power can lead to victory. For example, a small non-profit organization achieving significant social change despite limited resources can be seen as a modern parallel.

**Historical Accuracy:**While the exact details may be embellished, the core message of divine intervention and faith is consistent with the theological themes of the period.

Judges 13:1-14

The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord gave them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.

2 There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. His wife was barren, having borne no children. 3 And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Although you are barren, having borne no children, you shall conceive and bear a son. 4 Now be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, or to eat anything unclean, 5 for you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor is to come on his head, for the boy shall be a nazirite to God from birth. It is he who shall begin to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines.” 6 Then the woman came and told her husband, “A man of God came to me, and his appearance was like that of an angel of God, most awe-inspiring; I did not ask himwhere he came from, and he did not tell me his name; 7 but he said to me, ‘You shall conceive and bear a son. So then drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, for the boy shall be a nazirite to God from birth to the day of his death.’

8 Then Manoah entreated the Lord, and said, “O Lord, I pray, let the man of God whom you sent come to us again and teach us what we are to do concerning the boy who will be born.” 9 God listened to Manoah, and the angel of God came again to the woman as she sat in the field; but her husband Manoah was not with her. 10 So the woman ran quickly and told her husband, “The man who came to me the other day has appeared to me.” 11 Manoah got up and followed his wife, and came to the man and said to him, “Are you the man who spoke to this woman?” And he said, “I am.” 12 Then Manoah said, “Now when your words come true, what is to be the boy’s rule of life; what is he to do?” 13 The angel of the Lord said to Manoah, “Let the woman give heed to all that I said to her. 14 She may not eat of anything that comes from the vine. She is not to drink wine or strong drink, or eat any unclean thing. She is to observe everything that I commanded her.”

Deeper dive into the passage

**Hypotheses:** **Divine Plan:** The announcement of Samson’s birth by an angel underscores that his life and mission were part of God’s plan to deliver Israel from the Philistines

**Miraculous Birth:** The story highlights the theme of miraculous births in the Bible, emphasizing that God often works through extraordinary means to achieve His purposes.

**Historical Context:**The narrative would have provided hope and reassurance to an audience facing oppression, reminding them that God raises deliverers in times of need.

**Modern Interpretation:**Today, this passage can inspire individuals to believe in their unique purpose and potential, even if their beginnings seem humble or miraculous. For example, many people find motivation in stories of individuals who overcome significant odds to achieve great things.

**Historical Accuracy:**While the miraculous elements may be symbolic, the existence of a figure like Samson is plausible within the historical context of Israel’s struggles with the Philistines.

Judges 14:5-9

Then Samson went down with his father and mother to Timnah. When he came to the vineyards of Timnah, suddenly a young lion roared at him. The spirit of the Lord rushed on him, and he tore the lion apart barehanded as one might tear apart a kid. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done. Then he went down and talked with the woman, and she pleased Samson. After a while he returned to marry her, and he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion, and there was a swarm of bees in the body of the lion, and honey. He scraped it out into his hands, and went on, eating as he went. When he came to his father and mother, he gave some to them, and they ate it. But he did not tell them that he had taken the honey from the carcass of the lion.

Deeper Dive into the Passage

Judges 14:1-9

**Hypothesis 1:**The writer of Judges aimed to highlight Samson’s extraordinary strength and divine favour. The act of tearing apart a lion with his bare hands is a testament to the supernatural strength bestowed upon him by God. This narrative would have resonated with the original audience, who were familiar with tales of heroic feats and divine intervention.

**Hypothesis 2:**The passage also serves to illustrate the complex relationship between Israel and the Philistines. Samson’s desire to marry a Philistine woman, despite his parents’ objections, underscores the tension and cultural intermingling between the two groups. This would have been a significant issue for the Israelites, who were often warned against forming alliances with neighbouring peoples.

**Hypothesis 3:**The honey found in the lion’s carcass can be seen as a symbol of unexpected blessings and the sweetness that can come from overcoming challenges. For the original audience, this would have been a powerful reminder of God’s providence and the rewards of faithfulness.

**Modern Interpretation:**Today, this passage can be interpreted as a lesson in recognising and utilising one’s God-given talents and strengths. Just as Samson was given extraordinary strength, each person has unique gifts that can be used for good. A modern-day example might be someone using their talents in medicine or social work to help others, even in challenging circumstances.

**Historical Accuracy:**The historical accuracy of this account is debated among scholars. While some elements may be based on real events, the supernatural aspects, such as Samson’s incredible strength, are likely embellished to convey theological truths rather than historical facts.

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15,21-23 (NRSV)**
> Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written,> >

‘This people honours me with their lips,> but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me,> teaching human precepts as doctrines.’> >

You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.”> >

Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.”> >

For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Deeper Dive into the Passage

Hypotheses and Insights

**Hypothesis 1: Critique of Legalism**  – **Context:** In the time of Jesus, the Pharisees were known for their strict adherence to the Jewish law and traditions. By focusing on external rituals like handwashing, they believed they were maintaining purity

**Insight:** Jesus challenges this by pointing out that true defilement comes from within, from the heart. He criticises the Pharisees for prioritising human traditions over God’s commandments

**Modern Interpretation:** Today, this passage can remind us not to get caught up in external rituals or appearances but to focus on our inner moral and spiritual state. For example, attending church regularly is important, but it should not replace genuine love and compassion for others.

**Hypothesis 2: Emphasis on Inner Purity**  – **Context:** The Jewish purity laws were extensive and detailed, covering many aspects of daily life. Jesus’ teaching here shifts the focus from external purity to internal purity

**Insight:** By listing various sins that come from the heart, Jesus emphasises that moral and spiritual purity is more important than ritual cleanliness

– **Modern Interpretation:** This can be applied today by encouraging people to examine their thoughts and intentions rather than just their outward actions. For instance, being kind to someone should come from genuine care, not just because it is expected.

**Hypothesis 3: Fulfilment of Prophecy**  – **Context:** Jesus quotes Isaiah to highlight the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. They honour God with their lips but their hearts are far from Him

**Insight:** This shows that Jesus saw His mission as fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament and calling people back to a sincere relationship with God

**Modern Interpretation:** This can serve as a reminder to ensure that our worship and religious practices are heartfelt and not just for show. For example, praying in public should be an expression of genuine faith, not a means to gain approval from others.

**Historical Accuracy:**The account in Mark is generally considered to be historically plausible. The conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees over issues of purity and tradition is well-documented in multiple sources. However, as with all ancient texts, some details may have been shaped by the theological aims of the author.